Baseball Pitch Training Device

ABSTRACT

Provided is a baseball pitch training device having a base with a primary opening adapted to receive an anchoring structure. The base secondary opening is adapted to receive an adapter. The adapter has an opening configured to receive a resilient material, a coupling, and a support structure shaft. The support structure includes a primary shaft connected to a secondary shaft. A baseball bat support structure is connected to an end of the primary shaft. The baseball bat support structure is adapted to grip a surface of a baseball bat. A resilient torso member is adapted to connect to at least one of the primary shaft or to the secondary shaft with an attaching element, to be foldable, and to receive a garment. The secondary shaft has a head gear support structure connected thereto and is adapted to support a head gear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates, generally, to a baseball pitch training device. More particularly, it relates to a device simulating a baseball batter having a support structure adapted to receive a helmet, a shirt, and a bat.

2. Background Art

Prior art baseball pitch training aids include the Pitching Pad having a screen or a tarp with a metal frame surrounding the perimeter of the Pitching Pad to support the Pitching Pad in an upright orientation during use. The Pitching Pad system is bulky and large. It is not easily foldable into a carry-on bag for storage and for transporting. Thus, there is a need for a more compact and light weight baseball pitch training device that allows for a user to disassemble and store the pitch training device in a carry-on bag for storage and transporting.

Currently, some baseball pitch training aids include an image of a baseball batter printed on a screen. Some prior art baseball pitch training aids include a cut-out image or silhouette of a baseball batter. These prior art baseball pitch training devices are placed in the location at the home plate for the baseball pitcher to practice pitching the baseball in the direction of the image of the baseball batter. It is more desirable for the presence of a more realistic baseball batter to be incorporated with the baseball pitch training aids. Thus, there is a need for a baseball pitch training device having a structural support system adapted to receive and secure a head gear, a garment, and a bat to simulate the upper body of a baseball batter.

Prior art baseball pitch training devices incorporate the use of a pad, a tarp, cardboard, or a screen. These materials can deteriorate over time, are not weather resistant, and are not impact resistant. Thus, it is more desirable to have a more durable, weather resistant, and more flexible pitch training device constructed to resist impact.

A particular failure of the devices of the prior art is that some prior art pitch training aids are unstable and cannot withstand the force of being continually hit with a baseball. When these prior art pitch training aids are continually hit with a baseball these prior art pitch training aids are knocked to the ground, rendering the pitch training aids useless for their intended purpose. Thus, there is a need for a more stable pitch training device that can withstand the impact of a baseball being thrown at the pitch training device.

However, in view of the prior art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art how the identified needs could be fulfilled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a baseball pitch training device including a base with a primary opening adapted to receive an anchoring structure. The base secondary opening is adapted to receive an adapter. The adapter has an opening configured to receive a resilient member, a coupling, and a support structure shaft. The support structure includes a primary shaft connected to a secondary shaft. A bat support structure is connected to an end of the secondary shaft. The bat support structure is adapted to grip a surface of a bat and retain a bat. A resilient torso member is adapted to connect to the secondary shaft with an attaching element, configured to fold along a vertical hinge point, and to receive a garment. The primary shaft has a head gear support structure connected thereto and is adapted to receive head gear which also includes improvements that overcome the limitations of prior art baseball pitch training devices is now met by a new, useful, and non-obvious invention.

The novel pitch training device has a base having a primary end located opposite a secondary end. The primary end of the base has a primary opening. The secondary end of the base has a secondary opening. In a preferred embodiment, the primary end of the base has a flange to support the base in an upright orientation when in use. It is within the scope of this invention for the primary end of the base to not have a flange. Although not a preferred embodiment, it is within the scope of this invention for the novel pitch training device base to be a tripod (not shown). In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the primary end of the base is threaded (not shown) to receive an opening of a base plate (not shown). In another alternate embodiment, the base can telescope to an expandable height (not shown). In another embodiment, the base is adapted to receive a spike (not shown), whereby, the spike is inserted into the ground to support the base in an upright orientation.

In a preferred embodiment, the primary opening of the base is adapted to connect to an anchoring structure including, but not limited to, a rod, a shaft, a peg, or a baseball batting tee product. In a preferred embodiment, the anchoring structure is a baseball batting tee. The base is adapted to connect to the shaft of all makes and models of currently manufactured baseball batting tee devices and encompasses any embodiments to future baseball batting tee devices. It is within the scope of this invention for the base to be clamped to an outer wall of the baseball batting tee (not shown).

In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the anchoring structure has a primary end that is inserted into the ground and a secondary end that is connected to an inner wall of the base. The secondary end of the anchoring structure has a stepped portion adapted to connect to a portion of the inner wall of the base.

The base secondary opening is adapted to receive an adapter. The adapter has a primary adapter end located opposite a secondary adapter end. The primary adapter end has a perimeter that is greater in size than the secondary adapter end. The primary end of the adapter is configured to be received by the secondary opening of the base. It is within the scope of this invention for the primary adapter end to have the same size perimeter than the secondary adapter end. In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the adapter is configured to receive the secondary end of the base and covers the secondary opening of the base.

The secondary end of the adapter has an opening adapted to receive a resilient member including, but not limited to, a spring or a flexible material. The resilient member is connected to the inner wall of the adapter. The resilient member has an end having an opening adapted to receive a coupling. The coupling has an opening adapted to receive the primary end of the primary shaft of the support structure.

The support structure includes a primary shaft having a primary end located opposite a secondary end. The primary end of the primary shaft is adapted to be inserted into the opening of the coupling. The secondary end of the primary shaft has a head gear support structure connected thereto. The head gear support structure is adapted to receive head gear including, but not limited to, a hat, a cap, head gear, a face mask, or a helmet.

The support structure includes a secondary shaft that is configured to be mounted to the primary shaft with a fastener (not shown) including, but not limited to, a screw or a clamp. In an alternate embodiment, the secondary shaft can be adjustable along the length of the primary shaft and then clamped in an upper position or a lower position on the primary shaft. The secondary shaft has a primary end located opposite a secondary end. At least one of the secondary shaft ends are configured to connect to a bat support structure including, but not limited to, a hook, a loop, a clamp, or a latch. The bat support structure is adapted to grip and a surface of a bat and retain the bat to the secondary shaft. The bat includes, but not limited to, a baseball bat or a softball bat.

A resilient torso member is adapted to connect to the secondary shaft with an attaching element including, but not limited to, a clamp, a latch, hook and loop attachments, buttons, tape, adhesive, or magnets. It is within the scope of this invention for the resilient torso member and support structure to be constructed of a single structure. The resilient torso member and support structure can be constructed of at least one structure. In an alternate embodiment, the resilient torso member is configured to fold along a vertical hinge point. The resilient torso member is adapted to receive a garment including, but not limited to, a jersey, a jacket, or a shirt.

In another embodiment, the adapter can have a flange connected to a surface of the outer wall perimeter of the adapter. The flange can allow an end portion of the bat to be supported.

In another embodiment, it is within the scope of this invention for a securing element to have a primary end connecting to an end of the bat and having a secondary end connecting to a portion of the baseball training device. The securing element aids in stabilizing the bat in an aligned position in relation to the bat support structure during use. The securing element includes, but is not limited to, a bar, a hook and loop attachment, a rope, a chain, a cord, a tether, or a wire. It is a preferred embodiment for the securing element to connect the lower 50% portion of a bat to the baseball pitch training device for additional bat support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the novel baseball pitch training device and anchoring structure; and,

FIG. 2 is a rear cut-away view of the novel baseball pitch training device and anchoring structure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the novel baseball pitch training device with an adapter having a flange; and,

FIG. 4 is a rear cut-away view of the novel baseball pitch training device with an adapter having a flange and a securing element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

In a general embodiment baseball pitch training device 1 has base 16 having primary end 2 located opposite secondary end 3. Primary end 2 of base 16 has opening 4. Opening 4 is adapted to connect to anchoring structure 7. Secondary end 3 of base 16 is adapted to connect to adapter 11. Adapter 11 has primary end 12 located opposite secondary end 13. Secondary end 13 has opening 14 configured to receive an end portion of resilient member 15. Resilient member 15 connects to wall of adapter 11. Resilient member 15 has opening 20 configured to receive coupling 21. Coupling 21 has opening 22 located on an end of coupling 21.

Support structure 33 has primary shaft 24 having primary end 25 located opposite secondary end 26. Primary end 25 of primary shaft 24 is adapted to be received by opening 22 of coupling 21. Secondary end 26 of primary shaft 24 has head gear support structure 27. Head gear support structure 27 is adapted to support head gear 18.

Support structure 33 has secondary shaft 29. Secondary shaft 29 is connected to primary shaft 24, whereby, orienting secondary shaft 29 in a substantially horizontal orientation. Secondary shaft 29 has primary end 30 located opposite secondary end 31. At least one end 30 or 31 of secondary shaft 29 has bat support structure. Bat support structures 19A and 19B are adapted to retain bat 17.

Resilient torso member 32 is adapted to connect to at least one of primary shaft 24 or secondary shaft 29 with at least one attaching element 28A and 28B. Torso member 32 is adapted to support a garment (not shown).

In an alternate embodiment, novel baseball pitch training device 1 has base 16 having flange 10.

In an alternate embodiment, novel baseball pitch training device 1 has an end of base 16 adapted to connect to a spike (not shown).

In an alternate embodiment, anchoring structure 7 is a baseball batting tee.

In an alternate embodiment, novel baseball pitch training device 1 has adapter 11 having a flange 35.

In an alternate embodiment, novel baseball pitch training device 1 has torso member 32 configured to fold along vertical hinge point 34.

In an alternate embodiment, novel baseball pitch training device 1 has secondary shaft 29 configured to attach to primary shaft 24 in an upper position or a lower position with a fastener 39.

In an alternate embodiment (not shown), baseball pitch training device 1 has base 16. Base 16 has primary end 2 located opposite secondary end 3. Primary end 2 of base 16 has opening 4 adapted to connect to anchoring structure 7. Secondary end 3 of base 16 is adapted to connect to a support structure (not shown). The support structure is integrally formed with a resilient torso member (not shown). The torso member is adapted to support a garment (not shown). The support structure has head gear support structure 27 adapted to support head gear 18. The support structure has at least one bat support structure 19A and 19B adapted to retain bat 17.

In another embodiment, securing element 36 has primary end 37 located opposite secondary end 38. Primary end 37 of securing element 36 is adapted to connect to an end of bat 17 grip. Secondary end 38 of securing element 36 is adapted to connect to a portion of baseball pitch training device 1.

Construction of the Novel Baseball Pitch Training Device

It will now be seen, referring to FIGS. 1-4, baseball pitch training device 1 includes base 16 having primary end 2 located opposite secondary end 3. Base 16 primary end 2 has primary opening 4 (FIGS. 1 and 3) adapted to receive shaft 8 of anchoring structure 7. Shaft 8 of anchoring structure 7 contacts inner wall 6 of base 16. Anchoring structure 7 contacts ground 9. Flange 10 is located on primary end 2 of base 16.

FIGS. 1-4 depict base 16 secondary end 3 having secondary opening 5 adapted to receive adapter 11. Adapter 11 has primary end 12 located opposite secondary end 13. Primary end 12 of adapter 11 is adapted to be received by secondary opening 5 of base 16. Secondary end 13 of adapter 11 has opening 14. Opening 14 of adapter 11 is adapted to receive an end of resilient member 15. Resilient member 15 is connected to inner wall 23 of adapter 11. Resilient member 15 has opening 20 that is adapted to receive coupling 21. Coupling 21 has an end having opening 22 adapted to receive primary end 25 of primary shaft 24. FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate torso member 32 configured to fold along vertical hinge point 34.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate support structure 33 having primary shaft 24. Primary shaft 24 has primary end 25 located opposite secondary end 26. Secondary end 26 of primary shaft 24 has head gear support structure 27 connected thereto. Head gear support structure 27 is adapted to receive batting helmet 18 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Secondary shaft 29 has primary end 30 located opposite secondary end 31. Primary end 30 and secondary end 31 each have bat support structures 19A and 19B which grip bat 17 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Resilient torso member 32 is connected to secondary shaft 29 with at least one attaching element 28A and 28B (FIGS. 2 and 4).

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate adapter 11 having flange 35. FIG. 4 depicts securing element 36 having primary end 37 connected to bat 17 and having secondary end 38 connected to secondary shaft 29. Secondary shaft 29 is configured to attach to primary shaft 24 in an upper position or a lower position with a fastener 39.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described, 

1. A baseball pitch training device, comprising: a cylinder, said cylinder having a substantially central bore having an inner wall surface, said cylinder having a first end having a first opening located opposite a second end having a second opening, said cylinder having a flange bordering a perimeter of said cylinder; an anchoring structure comprising, a shaft having a capturing surface located opposite an anchoring surface, whereby, said anchoring surface is mounted to said anchoring structure, said shaft is configured to protrude from a surface of said anchoring structure in an outward direction away from a ground surface, said shaft is removably connected to said inner wall surface of said cylinder when said capturing surface of said shaft is received by said first opening of said cylinder; an adapter having a chamber, whereby, said adapter having a chamber opening, said adapter having an outer wall surface connected to said inner wall surface of said substantially central bore of said cylinder, whereby, an adapter limit end abuts said capturing surface of said shaft; a resilient member having a plurality of coils forming a compartment, whereby, said resilient member connects to an inner chamber wall of said adapter; a coupling, said coupling comprising a coupling compartment, said coupling compartment having an opening located on an end of said coupling, said coupling connects to an inner wall surface of said compartment of said resilient member; a support structure comprising: a first shaft, said first shaft having a first end located opposite a second end, said first end of said first shaft adapted to be removably mounted to said coupling compartment; said second end of said first shaft having a head gear support structure, said head gear support structure having a shaft protruding from a portion of said resilient torso member adapted to support a head gear; a second shaft, said second shaft connected to said first shaft, whereby, orienting said second shaft in a substantially horizontal orientation, said second shaft having a first end located opposite a second end, at least one end of said second shaft having a bat support structure, said bat support structure adapted to retain a bat; and, a resilient torso member, said torso member adapted to connect to at least one of said first shaft or said second shaft with at least one attaching element, said torso member adapted to support a garment.
 2. The baseball pitch training device of claim 1, wherein said base having a flange.
 3. The baseball pitch training device of claim 1, wherein an end of said base is adapted to connect to a spike.
 4. The baseball pitch training device of claim 1, wherein said anchoring structure is a baseball batting tee.
 5. The baseball pitch training device of claim 1, wherein said adapter having a flange.
 6. The baseball pitch training device of claim 1, wherein said torso member is configured to fold along a vertical hinge point.
 7. The baseball pitch training device of claim 1, wherein said second shaft is configured to attach to said first shaft in an upper position or a lower position with a fastener.
 8. The baseball pitch training device of claim 1, wherein said bat configured to connect to a securing element, said securing element having a first end located opposite a second end, said first end of said securing element connected to said bat, said second end of said securing element connected to said baseball pitch training device.
 9. A baseball pitch training device, comprising: a base, said base having a first end located opposite a second end, whereby, said first end of said base having an opening, whereby, said opening adapted to connect to an anchoring structure, said second end of said base adapted to connect to a support structure; said support structure, comprising: said support structure integrally formed with a resilient torso member, said torso member adapted to support a garment; a head gear support structure, said head gear support structure having a shaft protruding from a portion of said resilient torso member, said shaft having a hook adapted to support a head gear; and, at least one bat support structure, said bat support structure adapted to retain a bat.
 10. The baseball pitch training device of claim 9, wherein said base having a flange.
 11. The baseball pitch training device of claim 9, wherein an end of said base is adapted to connect to a spike.
 12. The baseball pitch training device of claim 9, wherein said anchoring structure is a baseball batting tee.
 13. The baseball pitch training device of claim 9, wherein said torso member is configured to fold along a vertical hinge point.
 14. The baseball pitch training device of claim 9, wherein said bat configured to connect to a securing element, said securing element having a first end located opposite a second end, said first end of said securing element connected to said bat, said second end of said securing element connected to said baseball pitch training device. 